New Zealand - Taupo and Wellington

After the fun and games at the caves and gysers we headed about an hour south to Taupo which is where Tommy and Rosie did their bungy! We did no such thing because being dipped in the freezing lake wasnt sounding like a good plan, so instead we had a go at the golf hole in one challenge at the lake to showcase our skills, went to see Huka Falls and had a nice view of Lake Taupo from a little town called Acacia Bay. After Taupo we headed further south to Wellington where we stayed with Nick, played squash, Han bought a coat and we caught a ferry to the south island. This little adventure was over 3 days.

1. Hole in one challenge - This was a driving range style challenge where you had to hit a golf ball 104m into the lake where there was a little 3x3m green with some targets in. First prize was $10,000 so Han let me hit most the balls and she took the free ones that we won from hitting the green. Han definitely got better but I was the only one to hit the green. I think Han might have sunk a few boats and killed a seagull but she enjoyed it all the same!

2. Huka Falls - This is a 9m waterfall that we visited. We wanted to do our first little treck of New Zealand as we heard from Tom and Bethan that there is a nice river walk to the falls, so we geared up in our trecking trousers, waterproofs and shoes and set off. Unfortunately the hour long walk was in fact a 2 minute one because I had accidentally parked right next to the waterfall! Having seen Huka Falls we couldnt be bothered to walk around so were very lazy and returned to our van!

3. Wellington - In Wellington we were treated to some fine hospitality from Nick (NZ squash friend). He put us up in his lovely warm house for two nights, made us a lovely evening meal, cooked breakfast and bought us fish and chips. His family were really kind aswell and made a lot of effort to make us feel welcome. It was perfect! We also played some games of squash against Nick and his protegy Eliza, who were both a bit too fit for me and Han so we got spanked! Nick was also kind enough to give me the Australian national squash kit and a nice black addidas shirt so I gave him my England rugby shirt.......to Hans disapproval because she liked wearing it to bed! To say thanks we bought a really rich chocolate cheesecake for us all to eat as desert one night...... but unfortunately no one managed it apart from me! Whilst in town buying the desert, Han ended the depressing search for a coat to my delight as we had walked around soooo many shops in every town in the north island searching for one. In town we also stumbled across the houses of Parlement (The Beehive) after I asked the guard what the building was! Haha

4. The Bluebridge ferry crossing - The following morning we were up at 5 o clock to get ready for our 7 o clock ferry crossing! We said our goodbyes to Nick, drove to the ferry which took about 30 mins, then got on the ferry for the price of a car thanks to our Escape camper van deal! We were warned about the ferry being so rough that we were bound to be sick, but fortunately we had a nice calm crossing with some quality films (cool runnings).

After doing the north island in 9 days we were quite tired and amazed with how much we managed to get done. Lots to look forward to down south though!!!